India Voices Alarm Over Houthi Strikes on Saudi Arabia's Infrastructure

India's Concerns on Regional Stability

New Delhi: On Tuesday, India raised significant concerns regarding the recent Houthi attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and economic assets in Saudi Arabia. The Indian government warned that these assaults jeopardize regional stability and threaten the freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, made these statements amid escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly following the Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia.

In response to inquiries about the situation in the region, Jaiswal noted that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had addressed the latest developments during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the BRICS summit on Sunday.

"The issue of the Houthis was also on the agenda. Recently, there was an attack on Saudi Arabia that we have condemned. We are very concerned about the escalating situation in the Red Sea area," Jaiswal stated.

"We have denounced the assault on Saudi sovereign territory, including its civilian infrastructure and economic assets. Such actions clearly undermine regional stability and threaten navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb," he added.

"These attacks are unacceptable to us; we hope for a swift return to peace and stability in the region. Nonetheless, we continue to receive energy supplies from that area," Jaiswal remarked.

The Iran-backed Houthi militant group recently targeted Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, a vital route for crude oil supply.

Since the conflict involving Iran has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the East-West pipeline has become an essential alternative for Saudi oil exports.

The Houthi assaults have raised alarms regarding the safety of the Bab-el-Mandeb shipping lane, a crucial maritime chokepoint situated between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

This strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

Last week, India condemned the latest series of attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

These incidents occurred as the US intensified its economic sanctions against Iran, with the Houthis operating from Yemen.

When asked about an Indian national who went missing following an attack on a Panama-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman, Jaiswal confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

"The ship had 14 Indian crew members, of whom 13 have been rescued, and we express our gratitude to the Omani authorities for their assistance," he stated.

One Indian national remains unaccounted for, and search efforts continue with the support of Omani authorities.

"It is unacceptable to target commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region. We urge for the restoration of safe navigation and the flow of commerce through international waterways as soon as possible," he concluded.